Sometimes we have one of those days where it’s hard to believe that so much went on. It happened to us a few days ago, when we experienced intense heat, generosity of locals, played a football match and cycled uphill through a river of rainwater.

We left our hotel in El Estrecho about 7am and ate breakfast in a small café in the village. It felt as if we were in the Caribbean, most of the locals being of African descent and there was a friendly, relaxed vibe. Plus, it was already really hot. (more…)

“Are you the people who were on TV last night?” asked our hotel manager in Quito. We were, having spent one of our days off in the capital answering questions from the national media about our trip around South America. It was a different way to get ready for Christmas. After a busy break, we weren’t totally rested when we set off towards the Colombian border, through Ecuador’s never-ending hills.

Our day in the spotlight had been organised by the lovely staff at the British Embassy in Quito, who also asked us to record a short video to promote the London 2012 Olympics. I think the gathered journalists were disappointed we weren’t set to take part in the actual games, but they seemed interested in our trip and had us cycling up and down in front of the Embassy to video us. We couldn’t help thinking our mums would be disappointed that for our TV debuts we were dressed in our scruffy cycling garb. (more…)